§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many staff training conferences have been planned by his Department for the foreseeable future; what is the planned subject for discussion at each of them; where they are to be held; and what is the estimated cost of each in terms of (a) travelling allowances, (b) accommodation expenses, (c) salaries and allowances for the participants for their time and (d) salaries and fees to lecturers and course organisers;
(2) how many staff training conferences have been organised by his Department during each of the last five years; when they were held; and how much each cost in terms of (a) travelling expenses, (b) accommodation expenses, (c) salaries and allowances paid to participants for their time and (d) salaries and fees paid to lecturers and organisers of courses.
§ Mr. MillanThe full information requested cannot be made available without disproportionate effort and expense. The numbers provided in the past five years were:
1971–72 … … … 149 1972–73 … … … 234 1973–74 … … … 279 1974–75 … … … 290 1975–76 … … … 312 Travelling expenses and allowances to participants, accommodation expenses and salaries and fees paid to lecturers and course organisers are all within the limits laid down in the appropriate Civil Service regulations.
The general pattern of future training is being examined in the light of the availability of resources and the need for economy in Government expenditure. The number of residential courses is being reduced.